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Private events - by invitation only are reserved for a pre-determined group of participants.

Background

This interactive seminar is part of a yearly series offered by CIFAL Atlanta around the world that explores the full range of opportunities and roadblocks surrounding the planning, development and growth of world class airports. It will also focus on adopting policies that can unlock the great potential that exists within many airports to fully develop and exploit commercial activities to attract investment, improve airport competitiveness and promote global trade.

In a globalized economy, airports have become critical engines for economic growth at national, regional and local levels. Enhancing the connectivity, quality of services and competitiveness of airports can create jobs and spur the economic growth of the surrounding region. Cooperation and coordination between central government, local government, airport management and the business community in the form of public private partnerships are key success factors for economic development initiatives that position airports as optimal city and country gateways, air cargo hubs, and business zones.
Airports also play a crucial role in today's multimodal logistics and global supply chains. Air freight for example accounts for 40 percent of world trade volumes by value and is regarded as a leading indicator of the state of the world economy. Multinationals often cite the presence of a major airport as a key criterion when deciding where to locate new subsidiaries, build plants, or start operations. The time, effort and convenience of international travel for senior executives are also factors that should not be underestimated.

Airports can be leveraged in many areas to create jobs and new activities in support of economic development. As such airports should be viewed as an essential component of the urban planning process.

Event Objectives

Participants will benefit from a shared understanding of the following:

The cooperation and coordination for economic development required to integrate the strategic perspectives of key stakeholders including trade ministers and civil aviation officials at the central government level; city executives at the local government level; airport executives as well as the needs of the local and international investors, business community and the public.

Mission critical benchmarks in innovation, marketing, operations, and security (including logistics and supply chain) that best facilitate international investment and trade for airports to position themselves as optimal city and country gateways, air cargo hubs, and business zones.

Overviews of infrastructure investment and structuring models for best practice airports (such as self managed, concessions and partnerships) that help reposition airports to both attract funding and spur regional economic growth.

Learning Objectives

The Airports for Economic Development seminars will help airports decision makers share innovative strategies to maximize the contribution of airports to the long term economic growth objectives of their city, region and country.

To understand how to leverage airport infrastructures for economic development

To develop innovative strategies to position airports as world class airports.

Methodology

This program series utilizes UNITAR's integrated knowledge management methodology that emphasizes structured hands on experience based sharing of best practices, panel discussions, and the building of action plans for successful implementation. This interactive program explores the full range of opportunities and roadblocks surrounding the planning, development and growth of world class airports.

Targeted Audience

Each seminar will bring together a selected group of approximately 50 high level delegates comprising top airports executives, senior government officials, and civil aviation authorities. The discussions are facilitated by experts in international airports management, air commerce, and technology solutions, and by leaders from the private sector, service providers, leading academics, international institutions and multilateral agencies such as the Inter American Development Bank and the World Bank

The high level delegate group will include:

- Ministers of transportation, public works and tourism from Latin America
- Airport general managers,
- Airport directors of finance and business development,
- Head of corporations servicing, owning, or engaging in key airport business
- Presidents and/or directors of Civil Aviation Authorities,
- Executive Directors of national chambers of commerce,
- Industry experts